Here are the basic steps to creating your own customized expense-tracking app:

Create a Google Form to capture expense info. Customize the form to grab the info you want to track.

Create a spreadsheet to collect the information you enter on the form.

Save the form to your smartphone's navigation screen for instant access. You can now enter expenses from your phone, not just your computer.

Go back to the spreadsheet and customize it to generate the reports you're after.

The authors built this tool to track business expenses, but the general idea is easily adaptable to tracking personal expenses. Over the years, readers have sent me a lot of personalized spreadsheets, but this is the first time I've ever seen anyone convert their tool into a smartphone app! I love it.

I know this might seem pretty techy to some readers, but it's actually not that complicated. If you've ever had to mess around with spreadsheets at work, you should have the skills to put this idea into practice.

In 2006, J.D. founded Get Rich Slowly to document his quest to get out of debt. Over time, he learned how to save and how to invest. Today, he's managed to reach early retirement! He wants to help you master your money — and your life. No scams. No gimmicks. Just smart money advice to help you reach your goals.

Hey JD. Thanks for the shout out!!! I was asked out this a bunch and wanted to finally have someplace to point folks that had questions about it. I appreciate It! It was also a pleasure to meet you and break bread at FinCon!!

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Jason

2 years ago

This appeals to me as an Excel holdout when it comes to budgeting and tracking my expenses. The problem (until now) has been updating that spreadsheet when away from my laptop/desktop where it resides. I was using a Google Drive (Sheets), but not quite like this.

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Lady Dividend

2 years ago

Thanks for the share!!! I was just thinking about this as I find it hard to work Mint sometimes. The things I pay for and are half reimbursed by my partner never get reflected properly.

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Hi! I’m J.D. Roth. I'm here to help you master your money — and your life.

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